Writer's Block: Fact or Fiction?

Writer’s Block--is a phenomenon involving temporary loss of ability to begin or continue writing. (Wikipedia)


Confession time: I like to blame quite a bit on writer’s block. And when I say “quite a bit,” what I really mean is every time I sit down at the computer and can’t seem to form a coherent thought, I growl in frustration and claim I’m suffering from “the block.” This is usually accompanied by a beleaguered sigh and a back of the hand delicately placed on the forehead (because I tend to the dramatic).


It’s actually a pretty handy excuse to be lazy when you need one because, really, who can argue with a “phenomenon” that is so intangible and hard to refute?


Am I the literary world’s equivalent of a hypochondriac, claiming every uninspired moment to be symptomatic of a deeper and incurable problem? Or am I allowing myself to believe that my mind can really shut me out so I don’t have to name the real causes of my lack of productivity . . .


Laziness.


Fear.


Apathy.


The list goes on depending on the circumstances and my mood.


I’m certainly not a scientist or a psychologist. And I can’t answer definitively whether the “phenomenon” of writer’s block is real or imagined. Perhaps it is different for everyone. But what I do know (from painful, personal experience) is that the excuse (whether real or not) can quickly become a crutch—a tool that can prevent me from actually working when there aren’t any roadblocks in my mind.


So what if writer’s block is real, and what if you have it? Or what if, you’re like most of us and are simply (a) disillusioned (b) tired or (c) not that into it anymore? Is there a sure-fire way to bring back the creative juices so you can dash off a prize-winning piece?


I’m not so sure, and I certainly don’t have the answer. If there is a cure, and someone knows the secret, I’m as eager as anyone else to hear it.


I guess for myself, the secret (which is not so great a secret, I suppose) is to continuously remind myself what I love about the craft. To move on to something else for a while if I’m bored. To seek motivation and inspiration from family and friends. And sometimes (just every once in a long while) to admit that I’m stalling, to face the ugly reasons why, and to push on anyway.

--Mandy

Motivation

“Why do you write?” I recently asked the students enrolled in one of my writing classes.

They stared at me.

I stared at them, struggling against the smile that threatened.

Students shifted in their desks, heads dropped, and finally one then another began to answer as they realized there was no single right answer.

“I just like to write,” one said.

“Writing helps me deal with things in my life,” another answered.

“I feel like I have stories I want to share with others,” someone else ventured.

As my students’ answers indicate, our reasons for writing are as diverse as we are. At times, we write to communicate with others or to deal with difficult emotions. Sometimes, we write for personal understanding, catharsis, or simply because we like doing it.

Whatever your reason, whether your goal is to convey a message, express your emotions, or leave a legacy, find what motivates you . . . and write.

Audience. Whether you’re composing a poem, short story, novel, or memoir, you have a tremendous responsibility to your readers. (No pressure, right?) They want to hear what you have to say; so when you’re tempted to believe your writing has no relevance and put it on the backburner, remember, there are those waiting to hear from you. No one else can communicate in the exactly the same way you can.

Catharsis. Oftentimes, I find that writing helps me make sense of my emotions or work through difficult situations in my life. Something about seeing my concerns on the page brings understanding and helps me deal with pain and frustration. Working through muddled emotions can be a powerful motivation.

Memorial. Writing helps us chronicle the past and leave a legacy for future generations. In the Old Testament, the people of Israel were instructed to leave a pile of stones as a memorial as they were about to end their journey through the wilderness and enter the Promised Land. The stones were a reminder not only that they had passed through a given land, but also that God had been faithful to them no matter what they encountered on the journey.

Writing can serve the same purpose. As we chronicle personal and family history or the changes in our society, our writing becomes a memorial for future generations that we existed and that God was faithful to us in every circumstance of life. I want my son to know the heritage of hardworking, committed people in his family. To understand that when all else fails, God will stand with him. And yes, I will tell him the stories that have been passed down to me, but my writing will give him a concrete memorial of those who’ve come before him and encouragement that he, too, can face the challenges life throws his way.

So when writing feels like a burden and you can’t find the motivation to put pen to paper (or more accurately fingertips to keyboard), remember all the good reasons why we write. Let your writing provide catharsis, establish a concrete legacy, or communicate to your readers a message they want and need to hear.

--Cheryl

A Bump in the Road to Publication

It was always my intention, when blogging and sharing with everyone, to be excruciatingly and heartbreakingly honest about my own personal journey to becoming a published novelist.

So in the interest of being truthful, I have to say . . .

Rejection stinks. It does . . . really, really badly.

Enjoy the excerpt from my latest "make you feel good" letter I received.

" . . . I believe your writing has a lot of potential, and particularly enjoyed your gift for sharp characterization and witty dialogue. (I'll admit, I laughed out loud at the marriage proposal scene in chapter one.) Unfortunately, I'm afraid that I had some trouble with plausibility elements in your plot . . ."

My first reaction upon scanning the note was: Seriously? Plausibility elements? Did she READ my manuscript? Plausibility elements . . . HA! What does that even mean anyway?

Needless to say, I was not a very happy person. I looked at my husband with an evil glare, about to begin a tirade.

"Why don't you call Cheryl?" he asked hastily, with a bit of fear in his voice.

So I did. And I ranted. And I questioned. And I battled the sense of failure that threatened to overwhelm me.

I spent the rest of the afternoon obsessing on the phone over each minute plot twist and each character trait. I analyzed the emotions and the motivations, wondering where I crossed from amusing story to the land of the unrealistic.

And we found them--the "plausibility elements" I refused to believe existed. I won't go into the details other than to say I had wrapped up my novel with a beautiful, shiny, unbelievable fictional bow (I'll let Cheryl explain that one later). To make a long story short, the revised idea is even better than the original. I'm reenergized in my quest to publish the next great American novel (or something like it).

All is not lost. That's what I really learned last weekend. And I have a suspicion that, before long, I'll actually be thankful for this rejection.

--Mandy